Seventeen-year-old Reece Oxford, who started the season so well under Slaven Bilic, was handed his first Premier League start following a number of injuries to United’s back four.

Romelu Lukaku put the home side ahead after 13 minutes as Romelu Lukaku’s low shot across goal beat Adrian. The Belgium forward now has eight in eight for the Hammers.

Kevin Mirallas was booked twice in 20 first-half minutes and you would have thought his dismissal would allow the visitors back into the game.

But the Toffees made it two-nil shortly before the hour mark as Lukaku turned provider. Aaron Lennon scored his sixth goal in ten games as he slotted under the Spanish goalkeeper.

Everton had the chance to make it three as they were awarded a penalty. Muhamed Besic skipped past Alex Song on the edge of the box and the ex-Arsenal midfielder fouled Besic in the box. Lukaku stepped up and his penalty was poor, Adrian diving the right way.

West Ham were back in the game thanks to two quick-fire goals. First, former Nottingham Forest man Michail Antonio headed home from close range, then three minutes later Diafra Sakho got on the end of Antonio’s cross to level the east Londoners.

As the clock passed the 90-minute mark, West Ham won it as Sakho’s flick fell to star man Payet in the box, who finished to secure the win.

The pressure on Steve McClaren was increased as they were beaten 3-1 at home to fellow relegation rivals Bournemouth.

Under-fire boss McClaren was backed by his players before kick-off, but they did not appear to be behind him by the looks of their performance at St. James’ Park.

The Cherries took the lead after 28 minutes when Josh King’s cross from the left was turned past Rob Elliot by the Magpies’ Steve Taylor, sliding at the near post.

The atmosphere turned sour on Tyneside as poor defending allowed Bournemouth to double their tally. King found space on the right-hand side of the box and he finished brilliantly past Elliot into the roof of the net.

With ten minutes to go, Jonjo Shelvey sent a pinpoint ball through and Ayoze Perez coolly past Artur Boruc.

Hopes of a last-minute comeback were dashed as Charlie Daniels netted a third, as chants of ‘sacked in the morning’ followed the full-time whistle.

Norwich’s face an uphill tasks to avoid relegation as they were beaten 1-0 by fellow strugglers Swansea at the Liberty.

It was always going to be a close contest at the Liberty Stadium, but Norwich never looked like winning.

Swansea were again without manager Francesco Guidolin, who has been in hospital with a chest infection.

In his absence they won at Arsenal in midweek and they did under Alan Curtis’ leadership once again. Gylfi Sigurdsson scored the only goal of the game as he calmly got on the end of Leroy Fer’s through ball.

Southampton rescued a point with an injury-time equaliser to hold Sunderland to a 1-1 draw at St. Mary’s.

The home side were reduced to ten men with 11 minutes remaining as Jose Fonte was shown a second yellow card. Sam Allardyce’s men soon capitalised on the man advantage as Jermain Defoe netted the late winner, sweeping home inside the box.

Of all people to draw the Saints level four minutes into added time, it was Virgil van Dijk, whose first-time finish beat Vito Mannone at the near post.